HOUSTON – A driver ran a red light and crashed into an SUV loaded with teens, killing two girls in northeast Houston early Friday, police said.
Police said the suspect was driving a Toyota Camry north on the Highway 59 North feeder around 1:30 a.m. when he ran a red light and smashed into a Ford Excursion traveling east on the Sam Houston Tollway feeder.
A big rig driver, who was also waiting at the light, saw the whole thing.
"When the light turned green, he noticed that the Toyota Camry traveling north was traveling at a high rate of speed and he felt that he wasn't gonna stop so he stayed where he was at," said HPD Sgt. I. Izaguirre. "But the Ford Excursion didn't see that car..."
The SUV was carrying a man, a woman and five teenage girls.
Three of the teens, who weren't wearing seat belts, were thrown from the vehicle when it slammed into a utility pole. Two of the ejected teens, ages 16 and 13, died at the scene.
"I believe there is a strong possibility that lives would have been saved had seat belts been used," said Sgt. Izaguirre.
A third teen was taken to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition.
The other passengers were transported to a hospital in serious condition.
Blood alcohol test results on the Camry driver are pending. No charges have been filed in the case.
